Interpretive Summary: Diseases of ornamental or regional crops, especially when occurring on a given host or in a given locale for the first time, can have disruptive effects on local economies. Reliable and timely reporting is essential for diagnosis and management of emerging fungal diseases of regional crops, ornamental plants and turf. Sources of prior host-fungus records and venues for publication of first reports should be part of the tool kit of practicing plant health professionals. Presented are recent examples of first reports for fungal pathogens of regional crops, including ornamentals and turf grasses. We provide sources for prior host-fungus records, list a variety of alternative venues for publishing new records, and transmit multiple testimonies from diagnosticians for the strong practical utility of these records. We appeal to plant health professionals for the continuance and escalation of such reporting.

Technical Abstract:
"First reports" document pathogenic organisms on novel hosts or in novel geographic locales. Oidium ericinum on Leucothoe, Leveillula taurica on Gaillarida x grandiflora, and Erysiphe knautiae on Scabiosa columbaria are examples of recent and novel disease outbreaks costly to ornamental nurseries, and documented by first reports. Such host-fungus records are of prime importance in diagnosing plant diseases, as attested by a series of statements from professional diagnosticians from around the United States. Several electronic or print sources of prior host-fungus records are specified, distinguishing between those sources that are open access and those available only on a subscriber basis. Recommendations are made for a variety of peer-reviewed venues for publishing such records, with the additional recommendation that abundant illustrations accompany published reports for purposes of aiding diagnoses. New records should be published in peer-review venues, to promote speedy incorporation into public databases. Subsequent publication can utilize trade journals or extension bulletins.